title: Protection against chemotherapy-induced alopecia: targeting ATP-binding cassette transporters in the hair follicle?
abstract: Currently, efficacious treatments for chemotherapy-induced alopecia (hair loss) are lacking, and incidences of permanent hair loss following high-dose chemotherapy are on the increase. In this article, we describe mechanisms by which the pharmacological defense status of the hair follicle might be enhanced, thereby reducing the accumulation of cytotoxic cancer drugs and preventing or reducing hair loss and damage. We believe this could be achieved via the selective increase in ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter expression within the hair follicle epithelium, following application of topical agonists for regulatory nuclear receptors. Clinical application would require the development of hair follicle-targeted formulations, potentially utilizing nanoparticle technology. This novel approach has the potential to yield entirely new therapeutic options for the treatment and management of chemotherapy-induced alopecia, providing significant psychological and physical benefit to cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: The Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK. Electronic address: iain.haslam@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Iain S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Haslam
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pitre
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Schuetz
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paus
mesh_terms: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000378:metabolism*; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
keywords: ATP-dependent transporters and drug resistance; nuclear receptors; structure and function of ABC transporters; xenobiotic defense